Thao Lam


Thao Lam is a Vietnamese-Canadian children's author and illustrator who lives in Toronto, Ontario. Her works are completed in a collage style. Her newest book, Everybelly, received a Kirkus Prize on October 9, 2025 and her previous book, One Giant Leap, was shortlisted for a 2024 Governor General's Literary Award.
The animated film, Boat People, co-directed with animator Kjell Boersma based on Lam's 2020 book The Paper Boat, won the award for Best Animated Short Film at the 2023 Calgary International Film Festival.

Early life and education

Lam came to Canada with her parents at the age of 3, as a refugee from Vietnam. She credits picture books for helping her settle into life in Canada, particularly the works of children's author Eric Carle and David Wiesner.
Lam studied illustration at Toronto's Sheridan College.

Films

Boat People Description: As a child in Vietnam, Thao’s mother often rescued ants from bowls of sugar water. Years later they would return the favor. Boat People is an animated documentary that uses a striking metaphor to trace one family’s flight across the turbulent waters of history.Co-Directors: Thao Lam and Kjell BoersmaProduced by: The National Film Board of Canada, 2023

Awards and nominations

Book Awards

Everybelly
Awards and honours:
The Line in the Sand
Awards and honours:
THAO: A Picture Book
Awards and honours:
  • A Junior Library Guild selection, 2021
  • A CBC Best Canadian Picture Book, 2021
  • A New York Public Library Vibrant Voices selection, 2022
  • A Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Book of the Year, 2022
  • A USBBY Outstanding Books List selection, 2022
  • A CCBC Best Books for Kids and Teens selection, 2021
The Paper Boat
Awards and honours:
My Cat Looks Like My Dad
Awards and honours:
  • A Quill & Quire Cover of the Year, 2019
  • A Booklist Editors' Choice, 2019
  • A Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection, 2019
Wallpaper
Awards and honours:
  • Cybils Children’s and Young Adult Bloggers’ Literary Awards – Shortlisted
  • A Kirkus Best Children's Book of 2018
  • A New York Public Library 100 Best Books for Kids selection, 2018
  • An Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award nominee, 2018
  • An International Board on Books for Young People Silent Books Collection selection
Skunk on a String
Awards and honours:
  • A Capitol Choices: Noteworthy Books for Children and Teens nominee
  • A Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2016
  • A Canadian Children's Book Centre Best Books for Kids and Teens selection
  • A Toronto Public Library First and Best List selection, 2016
  • An International Board on Books for Young People Silent Books Collection selection

Film Awards

  • Grand Jury Prize, Animated Short Film  —  Calgary International Animation Festival
  • Best Canadian Animation Short  —  Vancouver Asian Film Festival
  • 2023 Jury Winner for Best Animated Short and Audience Award for Animated Short —  New Orleans Film Festival
  • Milos Stehlik Global Impact Award Winner  —  Chicago International Children’s Film Festival
  • Winner of Diversity Award  —  Spark Animation Festival
  • Audience Award, Best Animated Short  —  Coronado Island Film Festival
  • Audience Award''  —  New Orleans Film Festival''